Delta PDP Accuses Govt of Backing ‘Illegal’ Secretariat Takeover

The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Solomon Areyinka, immediately vacate the PDP secretariat he allegedly occupies.

The PDP accused the state government of complicity in what it described as the “illegal and unconstitutional” occupation of its state secretariat by the APC.

The party vowed to explore “every legal avenue” to reclaim the property, especially as some defectors who moved to the APC as far back as April 2025 were allegedly still using the party’s bank accounts.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the PDP said the secretariat, located on WAEC Road, off Mariam Babangida Way in Asaba, was acquired in the party’s name, with all documents bearing its insignia.

The PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Kingsley Akpos Oturubo, said the secretariat was built long before the APC came into existence as a political entity, describing the situation as unprecedented. He noted that the APC already maintains a separate state office on Anwai Road.

“Where in this country does a political party have two secretariats in one state?” the statement read. “Chief Solomon Areyinka should know that he is now a member of the APC. The PDP secretariat and all the assets of the party did not defect with him to the APC.”

The PDP further warned that the Delta State Government, which it accused of aiding the occupation, should note that the property’s Certificate of Occupancy remains in the PDP’s name and has not been revoked.

The statement also linked the government’s actions to the PDP’s National Leader, Nyesom Wike, and his pledge to reclaim the party’s mandate in the 2027 elections.

“The state government is doing everything possible to dismantle the structures connected to the PDP National Leader,” the party alleged.

Describing the situation as “an invitation to anarchy,” the PDP called on security agencies to take note, warning that Chief Areyinka and the state government would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order.

“We have already alerted the relevant anti-graft agencies to apprehend these fraudsters,” the statement added.

The party appealed to its members to remain calm, while insisting that the ruling APC must accept constructive criticism and abandon any move toward a one-party state in Delta.